Meet Dominique, Business Development Manager at Roche

Hi, my name is…

Dom. I am a global nomad; I have lived in seven countries across five continents. I am passionate about the world and its mechanics and I believe that the world is not yet finished and that we will complete it.

I am a former scientist (IARC) and an IE MBA and I am glad that Roche chose me to be part of the Business Perspectives Program, a two-year rotational development programme where I could become the professional I wanted to be. I have worked in Mexico, Japan and sub-Saharan Africa, so I have a better understanding of the special aspects of those regions.

I am also a better human being thanks to all the colleagues and friends I have made along the journey.

My typical day at work…

…as a Business Development (BD) Manager starts with reading and answering emails. We work across different time zones, so emails or meetings do not always fit within a 9-5 timeframe. The rest of the day is divided into smaller blocks between meetings and time to focus on specific projects.

At the end of the day, I usually check what I have achieved and prepare for the coming days/weeks with the new information I have received during the day.

In Business Development, we navigate between strategic projects and finding new business opportunities, i.e., we spend a lot of time on start-ups and intermediaries, attending events, and seeking advice from our internal experts. A BD manager can’t achieve anything alone, so we build cross-functional teams and rely on our network to make things happen.

The location I am working at is…

…about seven minutes from home. I live with my wife and son in the countryside in Central Switzerland. Roche Diagnostics International is located in Rotkreuz, has a workforce of over 3,000 employees and a 360° view of the mountains and Lake Zug.

My work helps Roche to …

…change people’s lives. While doing my PhD, I grew very frustrated at not being able to improve the lives of the patients I saw every day on their way to the cancer hospital around the corner. I had to be in a position of doing, not hoping. Now, I do work that changes the lives of patients.

In Business Development, we are always at the forefront of innovation by scouting for it or piloting it. Innovation will bring new solutions to help patients understand their diseases and medical professionals to monitor and treat them, faster than patients can imagine.

When you understand what you’re up against, you can take action and fight it.

Roche as an employer…

…offers many development opportunities. For two years, Roche offered me the opportunity by being able to participate in the Business Perspectives Program, to work on what I wanted, where I wanted. I had to deliver, of course, but few companies offer such an opportunity. And Roche has succeeded in achieving a common culture across the organisation based on openness, generosity, collaboration and trust. I can generally manage my work as it suits me best, including working from home from time to time, which is pretty cool when you have a toddler to take to the paediatrician at the last minute. I started this job three years ago and I have had a very open discussion with my line manager about my next career steps. The company is big enough for me to find a new challenge here.

What's the best advice you ever received in your career, and who did you get it from?

The best advice I received for my career and for my personal life came from my dad. I grew up with the “If” poem of Kipling, which was pretty much a mantra for him. For me, it represents my dad and taught me humility, respect, strength, honesty and much more…

What do you do to help balance life and work?

There is no such thing as life and work. Work is part of life; an active part and, in our case, a meaningful part. When I am at work, I know why I am there and what I want to achieve. When I am at home, I am proud of what I did or what my colleagues achieved, and to be able to share this with my family and friends.

If you are interested in learning more about the Business Perspectives Programme click here.

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